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Moustafa RE, Tarbah F, Saeed HS, Sharif SI. Designer benzodiazepines versus prescription benzodiazepines: can structural relation predict the next step? Crit Rev Toxicol 2021; 51:249-263. [PMID: 34038656 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2021.1907303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Designer benzodiazepines are a part of the recently discovered abuse synthetic drugs called Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) which need to be controlled due to their constantly growing market. Most of them are derived from the medically approved benzodiazepines used nowadays yet, may possess stronger effects, more toxicity, and longer durations of action. Some differences have also been observed in their detection and characteristics, in addition to the variations discovered in postmortem redistribution and drug stability. All these major alterations in features can result from only minor structural modifications. For example, a classic benzodiazepine (BZD) like diazepam only lacks one fluorine atom which exists in its derivatized designer drug, diclazepam, making substantial differences in activity. For this reason, it is essential to study the designer drugs in order to identify their dangers and distinguish them thus rule out their abuse and control the spread of such drugs. This review would highlight the distinct characteristics of some of the most commonly abused designer benzodiazepine analogies in relation to their original prescription BZD compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raneem E Moustafa
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fuad Tarbah
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Huda Sulaiman Saeed
- General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Toxicology Section, Dubai Police Head Quarter, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Suleiman I Sharif
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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2
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A new method for high-resolution and high-precision analysis of flunitrazepam and 7-aminoflunitrazepam in human body fluids using a Monolithic SPE SpinTip and UPLC–Q-ToF–MS. Forensic Toxicol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11419-019-00471-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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3
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Katselou M, Papoutsis I, Nikolaou P, Spiliopoulou C, Athanaselis S. Metabolites replace the parent drug in the drug arena. The cases of fonazepam and nifoxipam. Forensic Toxicol 2016; 35:1-10. [PMID: 28127407 PMCID: PMC5214877 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-016-0338-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Fonazepam (desmethylflunitrazepam) and nifoxipam (3-hydroxy-desmethylflunitrazepam) are benzodiazepine derivatives and active metabolites of flunitrazepam. They recently invaded the drug arena as substances of abuse and alerted the forensic community after being seized in powder and tablet forms in Europe between 2014 and 2016. A review of all the existing knowledge of fonazepam and nifoxipam is reported, concerning their chemistry, synthesis, pharmacology and toxicology, prevalence/use, biotransformation and their analysis in biological samples. To our knowledge, fonazepam and nifoxipam-related intoxications, lethal or not, have not been reported in the scientific literature. All the available information was gathered through a detailed search of PubMed and the World Wide Web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Katselou
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Papoutsis
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Nikolaou
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Chara Spiliopoulou
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Sotiris Athanaselis
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 115 27 Athens, Greece
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4
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Nozawa H, Minakata K, Yamagishi I, Hasegawa K, Wurita A, Gonmori K, Suzuki O, Watanabe K. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric determination of eight benzodiazepines with two of their metabolites in blood. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2015; 17:150-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2014.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Revised: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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5
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Smith JP, Metters JP, Kampouris DK, Lledo-Fernandez C, Sutcliffe OB, Banks CE. Forensic electrochemistry: the electroanalytical sensing of Rohypnol® (flunitrazepam) using screen-printed graphite electrodes without recourse for electrode or sample pre-treatment. Analyst 2013; 138:6185-91. [DOI: 10.1039/c3an01352a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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6
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LinWu SW, Wu CA, Peng FC, Wang AHJ. Structure-based development of bacterial nitroreductase against nitrobenzodiazepine-induced hypnosis. Biochem Pharmacol 2012; 83:1690-9. [PMID: 22445794 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2012] [Revised: 03/04/2012] [Accepted: 03/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Nitrobenzodiazepine (NBDZ) is an addictive drug of the abused substances that causes severe neurological effects and even death. Bacterial type I nitroreductase NfsB (EC 1.5.1.34) has been reported to catalyze NBDZ into inactive metabolite 7-amino-benzodiazepine (7ABDZ) with promising activity, so as to become an attractive candidate for treatment of NBDZ overdose and addiction. Here, we investigate the nitroreduction of an NBDZ, flunitrazepam (FZ), by various mutants of NfsB designed from the solved crystal structure and characterize their in vitro and in vivo potency. Conformational changes occurred in the active site of N71S/F124W in contrast to the wild-type, including the flipping on the aromatic rings of W124 and F70 as well as the extension on the hydrogen bond network between flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and S71, which allow the significant enlargement in the active site pocket. In the complex structure of N71S/F124W and nicotinamide (NIA), stacking sandwich attractions of W124-FMN-NIA were also found, implying the importance of W124 in substrate accessibility. Consequently, N71S/F124W exhibited increased 7AFZ production in vitro with nearly no toxicity and reduced 50% sleeping time (hypnosis) in vivo. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time that N71S/F124W can serve as an effective antidote for NBDZ-induced hypnosis and provide the molecular basis for designing NfsB and the like in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiuan-Woei LinWu
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
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7
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Benzodiazepines: sample preparation and HPLC methods for their determination in biological samples. Bioanalysis 2011; 1:755-84. [PMID: 21083137 DOI: 10.4155/bio.09.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Benzodiazepines (BDZs) belong to a group of substances known for their sedative, antidepressive, muscle relaxant, tranquilizer, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties. Their determination in biological fluids is essential in clinical assays as well as in forensics and toxicological studies. Researchers focus on the development of rapid, accurate, precise and sensitive methods for the determination of BDZs and their metabolites. A large number of analytical methods using different techniques have been reported, but none can be considered as the method of choice. BDZs are usually present at trace levels (microgram or nanogram per milliliter) in a complex biological matrix and the potentially interfering compounds must be isolated by various extraction techniques before analysis. An extended and comprehensive review is presented herein, focusing on sample preparation (pretreatment and extraction) and HPLC conditions applied by different authors. These methods enable bioanalysts to achieve detection limits down to 1-2 ng/ml using UV/diode array detection, readily available in most laboratories, and better than 1 ng/ml using electron capture detection, which is lower than that obtained using a nitrogen phosphorus detector. MS interfaced with electrospray ionization offered a similar sensitivity, while negative chemical ionization MS or sonic spray ionization MS provided sensitivity down to 0.1 ng/ml.
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8
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LinWu SW, Wang AHJ, Peng FC. Flavin-containing reductase: new perspective on the detoxification of nitrobenzodiazepine. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2010; 6:967-81. [DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2010.482928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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9
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Development and validation of a liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure photoionization–mass spectrometry method for the quantification of alprazolam, flunitrazepam, and their main metabolites in haemolysed blood. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2009; 877:2275-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2008.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2008] [Revised: 11/28/2008] [Accepted: 12/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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10
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Jalali-Heravi M, Kyani A, Afsari-Mamaghani S, Ghadiri-Bidhendi A. Quantitative Structure–Retention Relationship Study of Benzodiazepines Using Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System as Feature Selection Method. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1002/qsar.200630163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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11
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Simpson RC, Goel TV, Matuszewski BK, Hsieh JY. Determination of a Selective GABA-A α 2,3Partial Agonist in Human Plasma by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometric Detection. J LIQ CHROMATOGR R T 2007. [DOI: 10.1080/10826070601128436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard C. Simpson
- a Department of Drug Metabolism , Merck Research Laboratories , Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Thanh V. Goel
- a Department of Drug Metabolism , Merck Research Laboratories , Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - John Y.‐K. Hsieh
- a Department of Drug Metabolism , Merck Research Laboratories , Pennsylvania, USA
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12
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Simpson RC, Patti AL, Matuszewski BK. Determination of a Selective Neuropeptide Y5 Receptor Antagonist in Human Plasma and Urine by HPLC with Tandem Mass Spectrometric Detection. J LIQ CHROMATOGR R T 2007. [DOI: 10.1080/10826070500416668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard C. Simpson
- a Department of Drug Metabolism , Merck Research Laboratories , West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Adrienne L. Patti
- a Department of Drug Metabolism , Merck Research Laboratories , West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bogdan K. Matuszewski
- a Department of Drug Metabolism , Merck Research Laboratories , West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
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13
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Capitán-Vallvey LF, Ariza A, Gonzalez-Casado A, Checa R, Navas N. Improvement in LC-MS calibration by addition of fragment signals. Talanta 2006; 70:705-10. [PMID: 18970829 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2006.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2005] [Revised: 05/08/2006] [Accepted: 05/17/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry has become a powerful analytical tool, with high selectivity and sensitivity. Usually in this technique, the calibration function is estimated from the molecular peak signal. This report describes the improvement in sensitivity when the signals from several fragments in addition to the molecular peak are used to establish the calibration function. The influence of the dwell time has also been analysed as an important instrumental parameter that influences the signal range, and consequently, the sensitivity. The calibration function obtained by adding fragment signals was used to estimate the instrumental detection limit using three different procedures, comparing and discussing the results obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- L F Capitán-Vallvey
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Granada, C/Fuentenueva s/n, Granada E-18071, Spain
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14
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Sakurada K, Kobayashi M, Ikegaya H, Takatori T, Yoshida K. Detection of 7-Aminoflunitrazepam in Mummified Liver and Kidney by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. CANADIAN SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE JOURNAL 2004. [DOI: 10.1080/00085030.2004.10757577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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15
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Rivier L. Criteria for the identification of compounds by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–multiple mass spectrometry in forensic toxicology and doping analysis. Anal Chim Acta 2003. [DOI: 10.1016/s0003-2670(03)00889-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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16
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Jourdil N, Bessard J, Vincent F, Eysseric H, Bessard G. Automated solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry for the determination of flunitrazepam and its metabolites in human urine and plasma samples. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2003; 788:207-19. [PMID: 12705961 DOI: 10.1016/s1570-0232(02)00345-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A sensitive and specific method using reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) has been developed for the quantitative determination of flunitrazepam (F) and its metabolites 7-aminoflunitrazepam (7-AF), N-desmethylflunitrazepam (N-DMF) and 3-hydroxyflunitrazepam (3-OHF) in biological fluids. After the addition of deuterium labelled standards of F,7-AF and N-DMF, the drugs were isolated from urine or plasma by automated solid-phase extraction, then chromatographed in an isocratic elution mode with a salt-free eluent. The quantification was performed using selected ion monitoring of protonated molecular ions (M+H(+)). Experiments were carried out to improve the extraction recovery (81-100%) and the sensitivity (limit of detection 0.025 ng/ml for F and 7-AF, 0.040 ng/ml for N-DMF and 0.200 ng/ml for 3-OHF). The method was applied to the determination of F and metabolites in drug addicts including withdrawal urine samples and in one date-rape plasma and urine sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Jourdil
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Grenoble University Hospital, BP 217, 38043 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
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17
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Terada M, Masui S, Hayashi T, Watanabe R, Inoue H, Iino M, Nakatome M, Matoba R, Shinozuka T, Murai T, Tanaka E, Honda K. Simultaneous determination of flunitrazepam and 7-aminoflunitrazepam in human serum by ion trap gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2003; 5 Suppl 1:S96-S100. [PMID: 12935562 DOI: 10.1016/s1344-6223(02)00075-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A method for the determination of flunitrazepam (FNZ) and 7-aminoflunitrazepam (7-AFNZ) in human serum was developed with ion trap gas chromatography (GC)-tandem mass spectrometry. The 7-AFNZ was derivatizated with 50 microl trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA), 60 degrees C-20 min. EI mass spectra and tandem mass spectra of FNZ and 7-AFNZ-TFA were m/z 238, 239, 266, 286, 294, 312, 313(M(+)), m/z 350, 351, 360, 378, 379(M(+)), m/z 238, 239, 240 (precursor ion m/z 286, collision energy 1.5 V), and m/z 239, 254, 264, 336 (precursor ion m/z 351, collision energy 1.8 V), respectively. The detection limits of full scan EI mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry for FNZ and 7-AFNZ in human serum were ca. 200 ng/ml, 60 ng/ml, 15 ng/ml and 1 ng/ml, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Terada
- Course of Social Medicine, Department of Legal Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine F3, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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18
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Simpson RC, Skarbek A, Matuszewski BK. Quantitative determination of a selective alpha-1a receptor antagonist in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2002; 775:133-42. [PMID: 12113979 DOI: 10.1016/s1570-0232(02)00270-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Solid-phase extraction, utilizing a 96-well plate format, was used to isolate an alpha-1a receptor antagonist and internal standard from human plasma. Following the isolation procedure, the analyte and internal standard were separated and detected using reversed-phase HPLC coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometry operated in the positive ion multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Based upon the peak area ratio (analyte: internal standard) the analyte was quantified over a concentration range of 0.02-2 ng/ml. Assay validation results including parameters such as precision and accuracy are presented. The validated method was subsequently used to support human pharmacokinetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C Simpson
- Department of Drug Metabolism, WP26-372, Merck Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 4, West Point, PA 19486, USA.
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Kollroser M, Schober C. Simultaneous analysis of flunitrazepam and its major metabolites in human plasma by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2002; 28:1173-82. [PMID: 12049981 DOI: 10.1016/s0731-7085(02)00058-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A sensitive and specific high performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI-MS-MS) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of flunitrazepam and its major metabolites, 7-aminoflunitrazepam and N-desmethylflunitrazepam, in human plasma. After the addition of a deuterium labelled internal standard of flunitrazepam, plasma samples were extracted using Oasis(R) MCX solid phase extraction cartridges. The compounds were separated on a 5 microm Symmetry C18 (Waters) column (3.0 x 150 mm, i.d.) with a step gradient of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.6 ml/min. The overall extraction efficiency was more than 89% for all three compounds. The limits of detection were 0.25 g/l for flunitrazepam, 0.5 microg/l for 7-aminoflunitrazepam, and 2.0 microg/l for N-desmethylflunitrazepam. Within-run accuracies for quality-control samples were between 92.5 and 101.3% of the target concentration, with coefficients of variation <8%. The proposed method enables the unambiguous identification and quantitation of flunitrazepam and its major metabolites in both clinical and forensic specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Kollroser
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Universitaetsplatz 4/II, Karl-Franzens University Graz, Graz, Austria.
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Abstract
The use of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has recently exploded in various analytic fields, including toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring (although still far behind pharmacokinetics). There is no doubt that LC-MS is currently competing with gas chromatography (GC)-MS for the status of the reference analytic technique in toxicology. This review presents, for the nonspecialist reader, the principles, advantages, and drawbacks of LC-MS systems using atmospheric pressure interfaces. It also gives an overview of the analytic methods for xenobiotics that could be set up with these instruments for clinical or forensic toxicology. In particular, as far as quantitative techniques are concerned, this review tries to underline the large number and variety of drugs or classes of drugs (drugs of abuse, therapeutic drugs) or toxic compounds (e.g., pesticides) that can be readily determined using such instruments, the respective merits of the different ionization sources, and the improvements brought about by tandem MS. It also discusses new applications of LC-MS in the field of toxicology, such as "general unknown" screening procedures and mass spectral libraries using LC-atmospheric pressure ionization (API)-MS or MS-MS, presenting the different solutions proposed to overcome the naturally low fragmentation power of API sources. Finally, the opportunities afforded by the most recent or proposed instrument designs are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Marquet
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital, CHU Dupeytren, 87042 Limoges, France.
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21
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Borrey D, Meyer E, Lambert W, Van Peteghem C, De Leenheer AP. Simultaneous determination of fifteen low-dosed benzodiazepines in human urine by solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 2001; 765:187-97. [PMID: 11767312 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(01)00419-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of 15 low-dosed benzodiazepines, both parent compounds and their corresponding metabolites, in human urine. The target compounds are alprazolam, alpha-hydroxyalprazolam, 4-hydroxyalprazolam, flunitrazepam, 7-aminoflunitrazepam, desmethylflunitrazepam, flurazepam, hydroxyethylflurazepam, nitrogen-desalkylflurazepam, ketazolam, oxazepam, lormetazepam, lorazepam, triazolam and alpha-hydroxytriazolam. Nitrogen-methylclonazepam is used as the internal standard. The urine sample preparation involves enzymatic hydrolysis of the conjugated metabolites with Helix pomatia beta-glucuronidase for 1 h at 56 degrees C followed by solid-phase extraction on a phenyl-type column. The extracted benzodiazepines are subsequently analyzed on a polydimethylsiloxane column using on-column injection to enhance sensitivity. The extraction efficiency exceeded 80% for all compounds except for oxazepam, lorazepam and 4-hydroxyalprazolam which had recoveries of about 60%. The LODs ranged from 13 to 30 ng/ml in the scan mode and from 1.0 to 1.7 ng/ml in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration ranges from 50 to 1000 ng/ml in the scan mode and from 5 to 100 ng/ml in the SIM mode. The within-day and day-to-day relative standard deviations at three different concentrations never exceeded 15%.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Borrey
- Laboratorium voor Toxicologie, Universiteit Gent, Ghent, Belgium
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22
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Deposition of 7-Aminoflunitrazepam and Flunitrazepam in Hair After a Single Dose of Rohypnol®. J Forensic Sci 2001. [DOI: 10.1520/jfs15113j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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23
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Lips AG, Lameijer W, Fokkens RH, Nibbering NM. Methodology for the development of a drug library based upon collision-induced fragmentation for the identification of toxicologically relevant drugs in plasma samples. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 2001; 759:191-207. [PMID: 11499473 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(01)00249-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The possibility of creating a robust mass spectral library with use of high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure-electrospray ionization (HPLC-AP-ESI) for the identification of drugs misused in cases of clinical toxicology has been examined. Factors reported as influencing the fragmentation induced by "source transport region collision induced dissociation" (CID) have been tested in this study (i.e. solvent, pH, different acids or buffer salts and their concentration, different organic modifiers and the modifier concentration). The tests performed on a few "model drugs" were analysed with use of two different single quadrupole instruments. The large number of mass spectra obtained appears to be affected by the mobile phase conditions to only a minor extent. This also holds for the mass spectra obtained at two different instruments (laboratories). Subsequently breakdown curves have been measured for about 20 randomly chosen drugs by variation of the kinetic energy of their ions in the CID zone through changing the fragmenter voltage. These breakdown curves were used to optimize the fragmenter voltage for each drug. The optimized fragmenter voltages were then applied by use of a variably ramped fragmenter voltage to acquire mass spectra for the library. The chromatographic separations were run on a Zorbax Stable bond column using a 10-mM ammonium formate-acetonitrile gradient method. Spiked blank serum and patient samples with a total of 40 different drugs were extracted with use of a standard basic liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method. A search of significant peaks in the chromatogram by application of the developed mass spectral library is shown to result in a more than 95% positive identification. reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Lips
- Agilent Technologies, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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24
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Borrey D, Meyer E, Lambert W, Van Calenbergh S, Van Peteghem C, De Leenheer AP. Sensitive gas chromatographic--mass spectrometric screening of acetylated benzodiazepines. J Chromatogr A 2001; 910:105-18. [PMID: 11263563 DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9673(00)01177-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
GC-MS screening conditions were developed for 15 low-dosed benzodiazepines, covering alprazolam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, ketazolam, lorazepam and triazolam, and the corresponding metabolites alpha-hydroxyalprazolam, 4-hydroxyalprazolam; 7-aminoflunitrazepam, desmethylflunitrazepam, 7-aminodesmethylflunitrazepam; hydroxyethylflurazepam, N-desalkylflurazepam; oxazepam and alpha-hydroxytriazolam, respectively. Benzodiazepines are analyzed on a polydimethylsiloxane column in both the scan and the multiple ion monitoring modes using on-column injection to attain maximal sensitivity. The reactive compounds are acetylated with pyridine and acetic anhydride for 20 min. The derivatives are stable for at least 4 days. The relative standard deviation observed with standard compounds at the low nanogram-level ranged from 1.13 to 4.87% within-day and from 1.12 to 4.94% between-day. Unequivocal identification potential, high chromatographic resolution and sensitivity are combined with minimal thermal degradation. The presented screening conditions provide the basis for a unique routine screening method for low-dosed benzodiazepines with a broad polarity range.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Borrey
- Laboratorium voor Toxicologie, Universiteit Gent, Ghent, Belgium
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25
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Bogusz MJ. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as a routine method in forensic sciences: a proof of maturity. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 2000; 748:3-19. [PMID: 11092582 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(00)00461-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The applications of LC-API-MS in routine forensic toxicological casework were presented. This technique has been used for routine determination of several groups of drugs: opiate agonists (like morphine, codeine, dihydrocodeine and their glucuronides, methadone, buprenorphine) cocaine and its metabolites (benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester), amphetamine and other psychoactive phenethylamines, like MDMA, MDE or MDA, benzodiazepine derivatives (flunitrazepam and metabolites, triazolam, bromazepam), hallucinogens (LSD, psilocybin, psilocin) and olanzapine, A common solid-phase extraction procedure for all drugs (with exception of LSD) has been developed. Among two ionization sources, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization appeared more universal and assured generally higher sensitivity. Only in the case of very polar drugs (e.g. psilocin or psilocybin) electrospray ionization was more sensitive. LC-API-MS became a very powerful and flexible method for dedicated analyses of substances of forensic interest. The use of this technique for general, broad applicable screening depends on the establishing of interlaboratory database of standardized mass spectra.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Bogusz
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Aachen University of Technology, Germany.
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26
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Elimination of 7-Aminoflunitrazepam and Flunitrazepam in Urine After a Single Dose of Rohypnol®. J Forensic Sci 2000. [DOI: 10.1520/jfs14827j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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27
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Analysis of Biofluids for Flunitrazepam and Metabolites by Electrospray Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. J Forensic Sci 2000. [DOI: 10.1520/jfs14840j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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28
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Gergov M, Robson JN, Duchoslav E, Ojanperä I. Automated liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric method for screening beta-blocking drugs in urine. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2000; 35:912-918. [PMID: 10934446 DOI: 10.1002/1096-9888(200007)35:7<912::aid-jms19>3.0.co;2-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
An automated liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method is presented for the screening and confirmation of 16 beta-blocking drugs in clinical and autopsy urine samples. The described method involved C(18) solid phase extraction, LC separation and MS analysis on a triple-stage quadrupole mass analyser. Samples were initially pre-screened for the presence of any beta-blocking drugs using LC/MS with selected ion monitoring. Any compounds tentatively identified as beta-blocking drugs on the basis of their LC retention time and protonated molecular ion were then automatedly subjected to a second analysis in which the relevant MS/MS product ion mass spectra were acquired. These product ion mass spectra were then automatically searched against a 400-substance mass spectral library containing previously acquired beta-blocking drugs. The results demonstrated that library search of beta-blocking drugs in urine with MS/MS product ion mass spectra was more reliable and produced fewer false negatives than library searching with mass spectra derived from single-stage quadrupole MS. The limits of identification in the MS/MS product ion scan ranged from 0.02 mg l(-1) for carvedilol to 1.2 mg l(-1) for pindolol, the majority of the values being below 0.2 mg l(-1).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gergov
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland.
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29
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Darius J, Banditt P. Validated method for the therapeutic drug monitoring of flunitrazepam in human serum using liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry with an ion trap detector. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 2000; 738:437-41. [PMID: 10718663 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(99)00546-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
An HPLC-MS-MS method for the quantitative analysis of flunitrazepam in human serum was established. The method features a very simple liquid-liquid extraction, the use of a standard 4-mm HPLC column, isocratic elution using a buffer-free solvent, short retention times in connection with good peak resolution and the sensitivity and selectivity of an ion trap MS-MS detector. The procedure enables unambiguous identification of analytes by their product ion spectra, as well as sensitive quantitation (limit of quantitation for flunitrazepam=0.5 ng/ml). This feature was used for the confirmation of HPLC-UV results for nitrazepam.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Darius
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Magdeburg, Germany
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30
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Bogusz MJ. Hyphenated liquid chromatographic techniques in forensic toxicology. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 1999; 733:65-91. [PMID: 10572975 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(98)00520-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The prerequisite of applicability of hyphenated methods in forensic analysis is the achievement of a stage of "final maturity". In the field of liquid chromatography, HPLC coupled with diode array detection (DAD) seems to fulfill this criterion, whilst the combination with atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-API-MS) is still in a development stage. HPLC-DAD is broadly used as identification tool in forensic and in emergency toxicology. Two main approaches were observed; development of retention index scales for intra-laboratory exchange of data and establishing of databases only for intra-laboratory use. Using these approaches, several databases were established for toxicological relevant substances (illicit and therapeutic drugs and their metabolites, environmental poisons etc.) in biological fluids. Also, complete HPLC-DAD identification systems are commercially available. Further possibility of progress depends on the on-line combination ("triple hyphenation") with other detection methods, preferably API-MS. HPLC-API-MS, both in electrospray (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) options, underwent dramatic development in the last decade and is reaching its final shape. The method was broadly applied for various groups of toxicologically relevant substances, a lot of them unaccessible for other techniques, including GC-MS. Particularly important was application of HPLC-API-MS for detection and quantitation of active, polar metabolites of various drugs and for analysis of macromolecules. APCI seems to be more useful for analysis of less polar compounds, whereas ESI is particularly valuable for determination of polar, large molecules (e.g., toxic peptides, polar metabolites etc.) Up to now, HPLC-API-MS has been mainly applied for dedicated analyses, but the introduction of APCI or ESI in systematic toxicological screening may be expected in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Bogusz
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Aachen University of Technology, Germany.
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31
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Marquet P, Lachâtre G. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: potential in forensic and clinical toxicology. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 1999; 733:93-118. [PMID: 10572976 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(99)00147-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A relatively limited number of papers concerning applications of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to forensic or clinical toxicology, or analytical methods directly applicable to these topics have been published so far, but their number have greatly increased in the past two years, probably due to technical improvements and to a decrease in the price of such instruments. After a brief presentation and exemplary applications of the interfaces and/or sources proposed in the past for coupling HPLC to mass spectrometry (direct liquid inlet, moving belt, fast atom bombardment and thermospray interfaces), this paper describes electrospray-type and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation interfaces and their most recent applications in forensic or clinical toxicology. In a third section, the different LC-MS solutions proposed for typical applications in human toxicology, such as the determination of morphine metabolites, LSD and its metabolites and corticosteroids in blood or urine, are reviewed in detail in order to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each ionisation device and/or analytical method. The last section envisages the new analytical fields opened up by LC-MS in toxicology, regarding mainly peptides, proteins and large molecules, as well as the possible use of LC-MS as a complement to GC-MS for "general unknown" screenings; it also deals with the perspectives concerning technical improvements in ionisation interfaces/sources or mass spectrometers, as well as in sample preparation and liquid chromatography techniques applied to this type of coupling. Though LC-MS is still a relatively new technique in toxicology, on taking into consideration its success so far and owing to the simplification of instruments and concept handling thanks to user-friendly software, it is the authors' opinion that it will become a major success in analytical toxicology in the next few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Marquet
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital, Limoges, France.
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32
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Bogusz MJ, Krüger KD, Maier RD, Erkwoh R, Tuchtenhagen F. Monitoring of olanzapine in serum by liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 1999; 732:257-69. [PMID: 10517347 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(99)00287-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A selective assay of olanzapine with liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC-APCI-MS, positive ions) is described. The drug and internal standard (ethyl derivative of olanzapine) were isolated from serum using a solid-phase extraction procedure (C18 cartridges). The separation was performed on ODS column in acetonitrile-50 mM ammonium formate buffer, pH 3.0 (25:75). After analysis of mass spectra taken in full scan mode, a selected-ion monitoring detection (SIM) was applied with the following ions: m/z 313 and 256 for olanzapine and m/z 327 and 270 for the internal standard for quantitation. The limit of quantitation was 1 microg/l, the absolute recovery was above 80% at concentration level of 10 to 100 microg/l. The method tested linear in the range from 1 to 1000 microg/l and was applied for therapeutic monitoring of olanzapine in the serum of patients receiving (Zyprexa) and in one case of olanzapine overdose. Olanzapine in frozen serum samples and in frozen extracts was stable over at least four weeks. The examinations of urine extracts from patients receiving olanzapine revealed peaks of postulated metabolites (glucuronide and N-desmethylolanzapine).
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Bogusz
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Aachen University of Technology, Klinikum RWTH, Germany
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